Moving magnet for auto-focus

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, the actuator module includes an voice coil motor base, a coil rigidly attached to the voice coil motor base, a lens movement mechanism suspended on the voice coil motor base by a suspension means configured to limit relative motion in linear directions orthogonal to an optical axis of the miniature camera, and a plurality of magnets rigidly mounted to the lens movement mechanism.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to control of the motion of cameracomponents and more specifically to the motion of camera components forsmall-scale cameras.

Description of the Related Art

For high-end miniature cameras, it is common to incorporate ‘auto-focus’(AF), whereby the object focal distance is adjusted to allow objects atdifferent distances to be in sharp focus at the image plane, to becaptured by the digital image sensor. There have been many proposals forachieving such adjustment of focal position.

The most common solution, however, is to move the whole optical lens asa single rigid body along the optical axis using magnets mounted to avoice coil motor base and coil mounted to the optics. Positions of thelens closer to the image sensor correspond to object focal distancesfurther from the camera. Demands on improvements to performance of suchminiature cameras are constant, as are demands for continuedminiaturization, given the added features and devices added to suchmobile devices.

Unfortunately, however, current solutions generate and retain excessiveheat for use at the sizes demanded in small form-factor cameraplatforms, such as cameras in phones, computers, and other multifunctiondevices. This generation and retention of heat is particularly acute inthe long periods of autofocus engagement typical for such cameras,because periods of cooling inactivity are not as likely in the expectedfield-use scenarios.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

In some embodiments, the actuator module includes an voice coil motorbase, a coil rigidly attached to the voice coil motor base, a lensmovement mechanism suspended on the voice coil motor base by asuspension means configured to limit relative motion in lineardirections orthogonal to an optical axis of the miniature camera, and aplurality of magnets rigidly mounted to the lens movement mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a portable multifunction devicewith a camera in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a portable multifunction device having a camera inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an assembly view of an example embodiment of anactuator module or assembly that may, for example, be used in small formfactor cameras, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used in small form factorcameras, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of an example embodiment of anactuator module or assembly that may, for example, be used in small formfactor cameras, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts a top view of an example embodiment of an actuator moduleor assembly that may, for example, be used in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of a moving-coilactuator module or assembly that may, for example, be used in small formfactor cameras, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of an example embodiment of a moving-coilactuator module or assembly that may, for example, be used in small formfactor cameras, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example computer system configured to implementaspects of the system and method for camera control, according to someembodiments.

This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “inan embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner consistent with this disclosure.

“Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims,this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider aclaim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units. . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from includingadditional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphicscircuitry, etc.).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicatingthat the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry)that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, theunit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the taskeven when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currentlyoperational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used withthe “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits,memory storing program instructions executable to implement theoperation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configuredto” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, for that unit/circuit/component.Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g.,generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware(e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) tooperate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue.“Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g.,a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g.,integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one ormore tasks.

“First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labelsfor nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering(e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuitmay be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and“second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily implythat the first value must be written before the second value.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A,such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also beingbased on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Introduction to Moving-Magnet Cameras

Some embodiments include camera equipment outfitted to improve thethermal performance of a miniature actuation mechanism for a compactcamera module. More specifically, in some embodiments, compact cameramodules include actuators to deliver functions such as autofocus (AF).One approach to delivering a very compact actuator for OIS is to use aVoice Coil Motor (VCM) arrangement. An arrangement of coils is mountedon a fixed base of the OIS actuator, and magnets are mounted on amoveable lens barrel.

Some embodiments include actuator module for controlling the position ofa lens relative to an image sensor in a miniature camera. In someembodiments, the actuator module includes an voice coil motor base, acoil rigidly attached to the voice coil motor base, a lens movementmechanism suspended on the voice coil motor base by a suspension meansconfigured to limit relative motion in linear directions orthogonal toan optical axis of the miniature camera, and a plurality of magnetsrigidly mounted to the lens movement mechanism.

In some embodiments, the actuator module is rectangular in plan, whenviewed in directions orthogonal to the optical axis, with sides arrangedso that there is a long side and a short side. In some embodiments, theplurality of magnets includes two magnets, and a combined arrangement oftwo magnets and one or more coils provides a force for moving the lensbarrel relative to an image sensor.

In some embodiments, each magnet of the plurality of magnets is arrangedto interact with Lorentz forces generated from the coil driven with anappropriate electric current that is rigidly disposed to the voice coilmotor base in the magnetic field of each magnet.

In some embodiments, the poling directions of each magnet of theplurality of magnets as mounted in the actuator module is substantiallyorthogonal to an optical axis of the lens, and the poling directions ofeach magnet of the plurality of magnets is orthogonal to at least one ofa plurality of planar sides of the actuator module.

In some embodiments, the lens barrel is suspended in the actuator moduleby a support structure that substantially limits the relative motion inlinear directions orthogonal to the optical axis. In some embodiments,the actuator module is an actuator module for controlling the positionof a lens relative to an image sensor in a miniature camera.

Some embodiments include an apparatus for controlling the motion of acamera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a coilrigidly attached to an voice coil motor base, a lens barrel, and a lensbarrel motion assembly attached to the lens barrel. In some embodiments,lens barrel motion assembly includes a plurality of magnets rigidlyaffixed to the lens barrel. In some embodiments, the lens barrel motionassembly is movably affixed to the voice coil motor base. In someembodiments, each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled withmagnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughouteach magnet. In some embodiments, each magnet of the plurality ofmagnets contributes to the forces to move the lens barrel assembly basedon Lorentz forces generated from the coil.

In some embodiments, the voice coil motor base includes a metalliccomponent for conducting heat away from the coil. In some embodiments,the plurality of magnets includes two magnets mounted to the lens barrelassembly. In some embodiments, the coil is driven with an electriccurrent, and the coil is mounted in the magnetic field of each magnet.In some embodiments, the poling directions of each magnet of theplurality of magnets as mounted in the actuator module is substantiallyorthogonal to an optical axis of the lens, and the poling directions ofeach magnet of the plurality of magnets is orthogonal to at least one ofa plurality of planar sides of the actuator module. In some embodiments,the lens barrel is suspended in the actuator module by a supportstructure that substantially limits the relative motion in lineardirections orthogonal to the optical axis. In some embodiments, theLorentz forces generate controlled motion of the focusing mechanism anda lens, in directions parallel to an optical axis. In some embodiments,the actuator module is an actuator module for controlling the positionof a lens relative to an image sensor in a miniature camera.

Some embodiments include an apparatus for controlling the motion of acamera component in a mobile computing device. In some embodiments, theapparatus includes an actuator module with a plurality of magnetsmounted to a lens barrel. In some embodiments, each magnet of theplurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantiallyaligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. Some embodimentsinclude a coil rigidly disposed to a fixed metallic base. Each magnet ofthe plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus ofthe lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil rigidlydisposed around the lens.

In some embodiments, the fixed metallic base is rigidly attached to aceramic image sensor substrate. In some embodiments, the image sensorsubstrate is attached to a printed circuit board, and the coil isaffixed at an orientation such that the plane of the circuit board isorthogonal to an optical axis of the actuator.

In some embodiments, the poling directions of each magnet of theplurality of magnets as mounted in the actuator module is substantiallyorthogonal to an optical axis of the lens, and the poling directions ofeach magnet of the plurality of magnets is orthogonal to at least one ofa plurality of planar sides of the actuator module. In some embodiments,the lens barrel is suspended in the actuator module by a supportstructure that substantially limits the relative motion in lineardirections orthogonal to the optical axis. In some embodiments, theactuator module is an actuator module for controlling the position of alens relative to an image sensor in a miniature camera.

Multifunction Device Examples

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed asecond contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a firstcontact, without departing from the intended scope. The first contactand the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the samecontact.

The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. As used in the description and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willalso be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” dependingon the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [astated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context.

Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, andassociated processes for using such devices are described. In someembodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as amobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/ormusic player functions. Example embodiments of portable multifunctiondevices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad®devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portable electronicdevices, such as laptops, cameras, cell phones, or tablet computers, mayalso be used. It should also be understood that, in some embodiments,the device is not a portable communications device, but is a desktopcomputer with a camera. In some embodiments, the device is a gamingcomputer with orientation sensors (e.g., orientation sensors in a gamingcontroller). In other embodiments, the device is not a portablecommunications device, but is a camera.

In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should beunderstood, however, that the electronic device may include one or moreother physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, amouse and/or a joystick.

The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one ormore of the following: a drawing application, a presentationapplication, a word processing application, a website creationapplication, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, agaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencingapplication, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, aworkout support application, a photo management application, a digitalcamera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsingapplication, a digital music player application, and/or a digital videoplayer application.

The various applications that may be executed on the device may use atleast one common physical user-interface device, such as thetouch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitivesurface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device maybe adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or withina respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture(such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support thevariety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive andtransparent to the user.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices withcameras. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating portable multifunctiondevice 100 with camera 164 in accordance with some embodiments. Camera164 is sometimes called an “optical sensor” for convenience, and mayalso be known as or called an optical sensor system. Device 100 mayinclude memory 102 (which may include one or more computer readablestorage mediums), memory controller 122, one or more processing units(CPU's) 120, peripherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108, audiocircuitry 110, speaker 111, touch-sensitive display system 112,microphone 113, input/output (I/O) subsystem 106, other input or controldevices 116, and external port 124. Device 100 may include one or moreoptical sensors 164. These components may communicate over one or morecommunication buses or signal lines 103.

It should be appreciated that device 100 is only one example of aportable multifunction device, and that device 100 may have more orfewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or mayhave a different configuration or arrangement of the components. Thevarious components shown in FIG. 28 may be implemented in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software, including one ormore signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

Memory 102 may include high-speed random access memory and may alsoinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memorydevices. Access to memory 102 by other components of device 100, such asCPU 120 and the peripherals interface 118, may be controlled by memorycontroller 122.

Peripherals interface 118 can be used to couple input and outputperipherals of the device to CPU 120 and memory 102. The one or moreprocessors 120 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 102 to perform various functions fordevice 100 and to process data.

In some embodiments, peripherals interface 118, CPU 120, and memorycontroller 122 may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip 104. Insome other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF signals, alsocalled electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 converts electricalsignals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 may include well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RFcircuitry 108 may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, alsoreferred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wirelessnetwork, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local areanetwork (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and otherdevices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may useany of a variety of communications standards, protocols andtechnologies, including but not limited to Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speeddownlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA),wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multipleaccess (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/orIEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocolfor e-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or postoffice protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messagingand presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for InstantMessaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messagingand Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or anyother suitable communication protocol, including communication protocolsnot yet developed as of the filing date of this document.

Audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, and microphone 113 provide an audiointerface between a user and device 100. Audio circuitry 110 receivesaudio data from peripherals interface 118, converts the audio data to anelectrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker 111.Speaker 111 converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves.Audio circuitry 110 also receives electrical signals converted bymicrophone 113 from sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 converts theelectrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data toperipherals interface 118 for processing. Audio data may be retrievedfrom and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 108 byperipherals interface 118. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 110 alsoincludes a headset jack (e.g., 212, FIG. 2). The headset jack providesan interface between audio circuitry 110 and removable audioinput/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headsetwith both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input(e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on device 100, suchas touch screen 112 and other input control devices 116, to peripheralsinterface 118. I/O subsystem 106 may include display controller 156 andone or more input controllers 160 for other input or control devices.The one or more input controllers 160 receive/send electrical signalsfrom/to other input or control devices 116. The other input controldevices 116 may include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rockerbuttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and soforth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s) 160 may becoupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port,USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons(e.g., 208, FIG. 2) may include an up/down button for volume control ofspeaker 111 and/or microphone 113. The one or more buttons may include apush button (e.g., 206, FIG. 2).

Touch-sensitive display 112 provides an input interface and an outputinterface between the device and a user. Display controller 156 receivesand/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen 112. Touch screen112 displays visual output to the user. The visual output may includegraphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectivelytermed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visualoutput may correspond to user-interface objects.

Touch screen 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensorsthat accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact.Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 (along with any associatedmodules and/or sets of instructions in memory 102) detect contact (andany movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen 112 andconverts the detected contact into interaction with user-interfaceobjects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) thatare displayed on touch screen 112. In an example embodiment, a point ofcontact between touch screen 112 and the user corresponds to a finger ofthe user.

Touch screen 112 may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD(light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emittingdiode) technology, although other display technologies may be used inother embodiments. Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 maydetect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of avariety of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed,including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, andsurface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensorarrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contactwith touch screen 112. In an example embodiment, projected mutualcapacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in theiPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

Touch screen 112 may have a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi. Insome embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution ofapproximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen 112using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, andso forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to workprimarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be lessprecise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of afinger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translatesthe rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position orcommand for performing the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 100 mayinclude a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particularfunctions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive areaof the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visualoutput. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separatefrom touch screen 112 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surfaceformed by the touch screen.

Device 100 also includes power system 162 for powering the variouscomponents. Power system 162 may include a power management system, oneor more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), arecharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converteror inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode(LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable devices.

Device 100 may also include one or more optical sensors or cameras 164.FIG. 28 shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller 158in I/O subsystem 106. Optical sensor 164 may include charge-coupleddevice (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)phototransistors. Optical sensor 164 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 143(also called a camera module), optical sensor 164 may capture stillimages or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located onthe back of device 100, opposite touch screen display 112 on the frontof the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as aviewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In someembodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of thedevice so that the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencingwhile the user views the other video conference participants on thetouch screen display.

Device 100 may also include one or more proximity sensors 166. FIG. 28shows proximity sensor 166 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, proximity sensor 166 may be coupled to input controller 160in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor turnsoff and disables touch screen 112 when the multifunction device isplaced near the user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call).

Device 100 includes one or more orientation sensors 168. In someembodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one or moreaccelerometers (e.g., one or more linear accelerometers and/or one ormore rotational accelerometers). In some embodiments, the one or moreorientation sensors include one or more gyroscopes. In some embodiments,the one or more orientation sensors include one or more magnetometers.In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one ormore of global positioning system (GPS), Global Navigation SatelliteSystem (GLONASS), and/or other global navigation system receivers. TheGPS, GLONASS, and/or other global navigation system receivers may beused for obtaining information concerning the location and orientation(e.g., portrait or landscape) of device 100. In some embodiments, theone or more orientation sensors include any combination oforientation/rotation sensors. FIG. 28 shows the one or more orientationsensors 168 coupled to peripherals interface 118. Alternately, the oneor more orientation sensors 168 may be coupled to an input controller160 in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, information is displayedon the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscape view basedon an analysis of data received from the one or more orientationsensors.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 102include operating system 126, communication module (or set ofinstructions) 128, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 130,graphics module (or set of instructions) 132, text input module (or setof instructions) 134, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set ofinstructions) 135, arbiter module 157 and applications (or sets ofinstructions) 136. Furthermore, in some embodiments memory 102 storesdevice/global internal state 157, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3.Device/global internal state 157 includes one or more of: activeapplication state, indicating which applications, if any, are currentlyactive; display state, indicating what applications, views or otherinformation occupy various regions of touch screen display 112; sensorstate, including information obtained from the device's various sensorsand input control devices 116; and location information concerning thedevice's location and/or attitude.

Operating system 126 (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, oran embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes various softwarecomponents and/or drivers for controlling and managing general systemtasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, powermanagement, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardwareand software components.

Communication module 128 facilitates communication with other devicesover one or more external ports 124 and also includes various softwarecomponents for handling data received by RF circuitry 108 and/orexternal port 124. External port 124 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB),FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices orindirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). Insome embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin)connector that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatible with the30-pin connector used on iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) devices.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect contact with touch screen 112 (inconjunction with display controller 156) and other touch sensitivedevices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motionmodule 130 includes various software components for performing variousoperations related to detection of contact, such as determining ifcontact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determiningif there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-draggingevents), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting afinger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module 130receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determiningmovement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series ofcontact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity(magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitudeand/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may beapplied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiplesimultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). Insome embodiments, contact/motion module 130 and display controller 156detect contact on a touchpad.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect a gesture input by a user.Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contactpatterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particularcontact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includesdetecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (liftoff) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) asthe finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As anotherexample, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surfaceincludes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or morefinger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting afinger-up (lift off) event.

Graphics module 132 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on touch screen 112 or other display,including components for changing the intensity of graphics that aredisplayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object thatcan be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, webpages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys),digital images, videos, animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 132 stores data representinggraphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code.Graphics module 132 receives, from applications etc., one or more codesspecifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinatedata and other graphic property data, and then generates screen imagedata to output to display controller 156.

Text input module 134, which may be a component of graphics module 132,provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g.,contacts 137, e-mail 140, IM 141, browser 147, and any other applicationthat needs text input).

GPS module 135 determines the location of the device and provides thisinformation for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 138 foruse in location-based dialing, to camera 143 as picture/video metadata,and to applications that provide location-based services such as weatherwidgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets).

Applications 136 may include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact        list);    -   telephone module 138;    -   video conferencing module 139;    -   e-mail client module 140;    -   instant messaging (IM) module 141;    -   workout support module 142;    -   camera module 143 for still and/or video images;    -   image management module 144;    -   browser module 147;    -   calendar module 148;    -   widget modules 149, which may include one or more of: weather        widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,        alarm clock widget 149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and other        widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets        149-6;    -   widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;    -   search module 151;    -   video and music player module 152, which may be made up of a        video player    -   module and a music player module;    -   notes module 153;    -   map module 154; and/or    -   online video module 155.

Examples of other applications 136 that may be stored in memory 102include other word processing applications, other image editingapplications, drawing applications, presentation applications,JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voicerecognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, contactsmodule 137 may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g.,stored in application internal state 192 of contacts module 137 inmemory 102 or memory 370), including: adding name(s) to the addressbook; deleting name(s) from the address book; associating telephonenumber(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or other informationwith a name; associating an image with a name; categorizing and sortingnames; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiateand/or facilitate communications by telephone 138, video conference 139,e-mail 140, or IM 141; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, telephone module138 may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to atelephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book137, modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respectivetelephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up whenthe conversation is completed. As noted above, the wirelesscommunication may use any of a variety of communications standards,protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, optical sensor164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, contact list 137, and telephone module 138,videoconferencing module 139 includes executable instructions toinitiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user andone or more other participants in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140 includes executable instructions tocreate, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to userinstructions. In conjunction with image management module 144, e-mailclient module 140 makes it very easy to create and send e-mails withstill or video images taken with camera module 143.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, the instant messaging module 141 includes executableinstructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to aninstant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit arespective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service(SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-basedinstant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-basedinstant messages), to receive instant messages and to view receivedinstant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or receivedinstant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video filesand/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an EnhancedMessaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers toboth telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) andInternet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, orIMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, map module 154, and music player module 146,workout support module 142 includes executable instructions to createworkouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals);communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workoutsensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select andplay music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, opticalsensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130,graphics module 132, and image management module 144, camera module 143includes executable instructions to capture still images or video(including a video stream) and store them into memory 102, modifycharacteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image orvideo from memory 102.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and cameramodule 143, image management module 144 includes executable instructionsto arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete,present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/orvideo images.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, browser module 147 includes executable instructions tobrowse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, includingsearching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portionsthereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module 147, calendarmodule 148 includes executable instructions to create, display, modify,and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendarentries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, widget modules 149 aremini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g.,weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 1493, alarmclock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or created by the user(e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (CascadingStyle Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file(e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, the widget creator module 150 may beused by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portionof a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134,search module 151 includes executable instructions to search for text,music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 102 that matchone or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified searchterms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module 147, video and music playermodule 152 includes executable instructions that allow the user todownload and play back recorded music and other sound files stored inone or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executableinstructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., ontouch screen 112 or on an external, connected display via external port124). In some embodiments, device 100 may include the functionality ofan MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, notes module153 includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to dolists, and the like in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147, map module 154 maybe used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associatedwith maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points ofinterest at or near a particular location; and other location-baseddata) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140,and browser module 147, online video module 155 includes instructionsthat allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streamingand/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on anexternal, connected display via external port 124), send an e-mail witha link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videosin one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instantmessaging module 141, rather than e-mail client module 140, is used tosend a link to a particular online video.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of executable instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above and the methods described in this application (e.g., thecomputer-implemented methods and other information processing methodsdescribed herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need notbe implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 102 maystore a subset of the modules and data structures identified above.Furthermore, memory 102 may store additional modules and data structuresnot described above.

In some embodiments, device 100 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/ora touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device100, the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons,dials, and the like) on device 100 may be reduced.

The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between userinterfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user,navigates device 100 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that may be displayed on device 100. In such embodiments, thetouchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some otherembodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or otherphysical input control device instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100 having a touchscreen 112 in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screen maydisplay one or more graphics within user interface (UI) 200. In thisembodiment, as well as others described below, a user may select one ormore of the graphics by making a gesture on the graphics, for example,with one or more fingers 202 (not drawn to scale in the figure) or oneor more styluses 203 (not drawn to scale in the figure).

Device 100 may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home”or menu button 204. As described previously, menu button 204 may be usedto navigate to any application 136 in a set of applications that may beexecuted on device 100. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menubutton is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen112.

In one embodiment, device 100 includes touch screen 112, menu button204, push button 206 for powering the device on/off and locking thedevice, volume adjustment button(s) 208, Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card slot 210, head set jack 212, and docking/charging externalport 124. Push button 206 may be used to turn the power on/off on thedevice by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressedstate for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressingthe button and releasing the button before the predefined time intervalhas elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process.In an alternative embodiment, device 100 also may accept verbal inputfor activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone 113.

It should be noted that, although many of the examples herein are givenwith reference to optical sensor/camera 164 (on the front of a device),a rear-facing camera or optical sensor that is pointed opposite from thedisplay may be used instead of or in addition to an opticalsensor/camera 164 on the front of a device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an assembly view of an example embodiment of anactuator module or assembly that may, for example, be used in small formfactor cameras, according to at least some embodiments. Visiblecomponents of a camera module 300 include a voice coil motor base 302,which in some embodiments is a metallic casting, a sensor package 304, avoice coil motor cover 306 and a lens barrel 308.

FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used in small form factorcameras, according to at least some embodiments. Visible components of acamera module 400 include a voice coil motor base 402, which in someembodiments is a metallic casting, a sensor package 404, a voice coilmotor cover 406 and a lens barrel 408. Springs 410, frame 412, magnet414, and coil 416 are also visible. Some embodiments include cameraequipment outfitted to improve the thermal performance of a miniatureactuation mechanism for a compact camera module. More specifically, insome embodiments, compact camera module 400 includes actuators todeliver functions such as autofocus (AF). One approach to delivering avery compact actuator for OIS is to use a Voice Coil Motor (VCM)arrangement relying on coils 416 and magnets 414. An arrangement ofcoils 416 is mounted on a fixed base 402 of the OIS actuator usingsprings 410 and frames 412, and magnets 414 are mounted to a moveablelens barrel 408.

Some embodiments include actuator module 422 for controlling theposition of a lens relative to an image sensor in sensor package 404 ina miniature camera. In some embodiments, the actuator module 422includes an voice coil motor base 402, a coil 416 rigidly attached tothe voice coil motor base 402 by a frame 412, a lens movement mechanism(lens barrel 408) suspended on the voice coil motor base 402 by asuspension means (springs 410) configured to limit relative motion inlinear directions orthogonal to an optical axis of the miniature camera400, and a plurality of magnets 414 rigidly mounted to the lens movementmechanism (lens barrel 408).

In some embodiments, the actuator module 422 is rectangular in plan,when viewed in directions orthogonal to the optical axis, with sidesarranged so that there is a long side and a short side. In someembodiments, the plurality of magnets includes two magnets 414, and acombined arrangement of two magnets 414 and one or more coils 416provides a force for moving the lens barrel 408 relative to an imagesensor on image sensor package 404.

In some embodiments, each magnet 414 of the plurality of magnets isarranged to interact with Lorentz forces generated from the coil 416driven with an appropriate electric current that is rigidly disposed tothe voice coil motor base 402 in the magnetic field of each magnet.

In some embodiments, the poling directions of each magnet 414 of theplurality of magnets as mounted in the actuator module 422 issubstantially orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens in lens barrel408, and the poling directions of each magnet 414 of the plurality ofmagnets is orthogonal to at least one of a plurality of planar sides ofthe actuator module 422.

In some embodiments, the lens barrel 408 is suspended in the actuatormodule 400 by a support structure (e.g. springs 410) that substantiallylimits the relative motion in linear directions orthogonal to theoptical axis. In some embodiments, the actuator module 422 is anactuator module 422 for controlling the position of a lens in lensbarrel 408 relative to an image sensor on image sensor package 404 in aminiature camera.

Some embodiments include an apparatus for controlling the motion of acamera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a coil 416rigidly attached to a voice coil motor base 402, a lens barrel 408, anda lens barrel 408 motion assembly 418 attached to the lens barrel 408.In some embodiments, lens barrel motion assembly 418 connects aplurality of magnets 414 rigidly affixed to the lens barrel 408. In someembodiments, the lens barrel motion assembly 418 is movably affixed tothe voice coil motor base 402. In some embodiments, each magnet 414 ofthe plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantiallyaligned in the same direction throughout each magnet 414. In someembodiments, each magnet 414 of the plurality of magnets contributes tothe forces to move the lens barrel assembly 418 based on Lorentz forcesgenerated from the coil 416.

In some embodiments, the voice coil motor base 402 includes a metalliccomponent for conducting heat 420 away from the coil 416. In someembodiments, the plurality of magnets 414 includes two magnets 414mounted to the lens barrel motion assembly 418. In some embodiments, thecoil 416 is driven with an electric current, and the coil 416 is mountedin the magnetic field of each magnet 414. In some embodiments, thepoling directions of each magnet 414 of the plurality of magnets asmounted in the actuator module 400 is substantially orthogonal to anoptical axis of the lens barrel 400, and the poling directions of eachmagnet 414 of the plurality of magnets 414 is orthogonal to at least oneof a plurality of planar sides of the camera module 400. In someembodiments, the lens barrel 408 is suspended in the actuator module 422by a support structure (lens barrel motion assembly 418 and springs 410)that substantially limits the relative motion in linear directionsorthogonal to the optical axis. In some embodiments, the Lorentz forcesgenerate controlled motion of the focusing mechanism and a lens (in lensbarrel 408), in directions parallel to an optical axis. In someembodiments, the actuator module 400 is an actuator module forcontrolling the position of a lens relative (in lens barrel 408) to animage sensor in sensor package 404 in a miniature camera 400.

Some embodiments include an apparatus for controlling the motion of acamera component in a mobile computing device. In some embodiments, theapparatus 400 includes an actuator module 422 with a plurality ofmagnets 414 mounted to a lens barrel 408. In some embodiments, eachmagnet 414 of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domainssubstantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet 414.Some embodiments include a coil 416 rigidly disposed to a fixed metallicbase 402. Each magnet 414 of the plurality of magnets contributes to theforces to adjust focus of the lens by moving a lens barrel 408 based onLorentz forces generated from the coil 416 rigidly disposed around thelens.

In some embodiments, the fixed metallic base 402 is rigidly attached toa ceramic image sensor substrate 404. In some embodiments, the imagesensor substrate 404 is attached to a printed circuit board, and thecoil 416 is affixed at an orientation such that the plane of the circuitboard is orthogonal to an optical axis of the actuator 422.

In some embodiments, the poling directions of each magnet 414 of theplurality of magnets as mounted in the actuator module 422 issubstantially orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens, and the polingdirections of each magnet 414 of the plurality of magnets is orthogonalto at least one of a plurality of planar sides of the actuator module422. In some embodiments, the lens barrel 408 is suspended in theactuator module 422 by a support structure that substantially limits therelative motion in linear directions orthogonal to the optical axis. Insome embodiments, the actuator module 422 is an actuator module 422 forcontrolling the position of a lens relative to an image sensor in aminiature camera.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of an example embodiment of anactuator module or assembly that may, for example, be used in small formfactor cameras, according to at least some embodiments. Visiblecomponents of an actuator module 500 includes a voice coil motor base502, which in some embodiments is a metallic casting, a sensor package504, a voice coil motor cover 506 and a lens barrel 508. Springs 510,frame 512, magnet 514, and coil 516 are also visible. More specifically,in some embodiments, compact camera module 500 includes actuators todeliver functions such as autofocus (AF). One approach to delivering avery compact actuator for OIS is to use a Voice Coil Motor (VCM)arrangement relying on coils 516 and magnets 514. An arrangement ofcoils 516 is mounted on a fixed base 502 of the OIS actuator usingsprings 510 and frames 512, and magnets 514 are mounted to a moveablelens barrel 508.

Some embodiments include actuator module 522 for controlling theposition of a lens relative to an image sensor in sensor package 504 ina miniature camera. In some embodiments, the actuator module 522includes an voice coil motor base 502, a coil 516 rigidly attached tothe voice coil motor base 502 by a frame 512, a lens movement mechanism(lens barrel 508) suspended on the voice coil motor base 502 by asuspension means (springs 510) configured to limit relative motion inlinear directions orthogonal to an optical axis of the miniature camera500, and a plurality of magnets 514 rigidly mounted to the lens movementmechanism (lens barrel 508).

In some embodiments, the actuator module 522 is rectangular in plan,when viewed in directions orthogonal to the optical axis, with sidesarranged so that there is a long side and a short side. In someembodiments, the plurality of magnets includes two magnets 514, and acombined arrangement of two magnets 514 and one or more coils 516provides a force for moving the lens barrel 508 relative to an imagesensor on image sensor package 504.

In some embodiments, each magnet 514 of the plurality of magnets isarranged to interact with Lorentz forces generated from the coil 516driven with an appropriate electric current that is rigidly disposed tothe voice coil motor base 502 in the magnetic field of each magnet.

In some embodiments, the poling directions of each magnet 514 of theplurality of magnets as mounted in the actuator module 522 issubstantially orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens in lens barrel508, and the poling directions of each magnet 514 of the plurality ofmagnets is orthogonal to at least one of a plurality of planar sides ofthe actuator module 522.

In some embodiments, the lens barrel 508 is suspended in the actuatormodule 500 by a support structure (e.g. springs 510) that substantiallylimits the relative motion in linear directions orthogonal to theoptical axis. In some embodiments, the actuator module 522 is anactuator module 522 for controlling the position of a lens in lensbarrel 508 relative to an image sensor on image sensor package 504 in aminiature camera.

Some embodiments include an apparatus for controlling the motion of acamera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a coil 516rigidly attached to a voice coil motor base 502, a lens barrel 508, anda lens barrel 508 motion assembly 518 attached to the lens barrel 508.In some embodiments, lens barrel motion assembly 518 connects aplurality of magnets 514 rigidly affixed to the lens barrel 508. In someembodiments, the lens barrel motion assembly 518 is movably affixed tothe voice coil motor base 502. In some embodiments, each magnet 514 ofthe plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantiallyaligned in the same direction throughout each magnet 514. In someembodiments, each magnet 514 of the plurality of magnets contributes tothe forces to move the lens barrel assembly 518 based on Lorentz forcesgenerated from the coil 516.

In some embodiments, the voice coil motor base 502 includes a metalliccomponent for conducting heat 520 away from the coil 516. In someembodiments, the plurality of magnets 514 includes two magnets 514mounted to the lens barrel motion assembly 518. In some embodiments, thecoil 516 is driven with an electric current, and the coil 516 is mountedin the magnetic field of each magnet 514. In some embodiments, thepoling directions of each magnet 514 of the plurality of magnets asmounted in the actuator module 500 is substantially orthogonal to anoptical axis of the lens barrel 500, and the poling directions of eachmagnet 514 of the plurality of magnets 514 is orthogonal to at least oneof a plurality of planar sides of the camera module 500. In someembodiments, the lens barrel 508 is suspended in the actuator module 522by a support structure (lens barrel motion assembly 518 and springs 510)that substantially limits the relative motion in linear directionsorthogonal to the optical axis. In some embodiments, the Lorentz forcesgenerate controlled motion of the focusing mechanism and a lens (in lensbarrel 508), in directions parallel to an optical axis. In someembodiments, the actuator module 500 is an actuator module forcontrolling the position of a lens relative (in lens barrel 508) to animage sensor in sensor package 504 in a miniature camera 500.

Some embodiments include an apparatus for controlling the motion of acamera component in a mobile computing device. In some embodiments, theapparatus 500 includes an actuator module 522 with a plurality ofmagnets 514 mounted to a lens barrel 508. In some embodiments, eachmagnet 514 of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domainssubstantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet 514.Some embodiments include a coil 516 rigidly disposed to a fixed metallicbase 502. Each magnet 514 of the plurality of magnets contributes to theforces to adjust focus of the lens by moving a lens barrel 508 based onLorentz forces generated from the coil 516 rigidly disposed around thelens.

In some embodiments, the fixed metallic base 502 is rigidly attached toa ceramic image sensor substrate 504. In some embodiments, the imagesensor substrate 504 is attached to a printed circuit board, and thecoil 516 is affixed at an orientation such that the plane of the circuitboard is orthogonal to an optical axis of the actuator 522.

In some embodiments, the poling directions of each magnet 514 of theplurality of magnets as mounted in the actuator module 522 issubstantially orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens, and the polingdirections of each magnet 514 of the plurality of magnets is orthogonalto at least one of a plurality of planar sides of the actuator module522. In some embodiments, the lens barrel 508 is suspended in theactuator module 522 by a support structure that substantially limits therelative motion in linear directions orthogonal to the optical axis. Insome embodiments, the actuator module 522 is an actuator module 522 forcontrolling the position of a lens relative to an image sensor in aminiature camera.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate alternative example embodiments of an exampleactuator assembly in which embodiments of moving coil actuators asdescribed herein may be applied. FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of anexample embodiment of an actuator module or assembly that may, forexample, be used in small form factor cameras, according to at leastsome embodiments. Optics (e.g., lenses) 6010 are held in an opticsholder 6004 (e.g., a lens barrel) of an actuator package 6000. Opticsholder/lens barrel 6004 holds magnets 6008 a-6008 d and hall sensors6002 a-6002 d. Coils 6012 a-6012 d are attached to a coil holder/VCMbase 6006.

Visible components of a camera module include a voice coil motor base6006, which in some embodiments is a metallic casting, and a lensbarrel/optics holder 6004. Some embodiments include camera equipmentoutfitted to improve the thermal performance of a miniature actuationmechanism for a compact camera module. More specifically, in someembodiments, a compact camera module containing actuator package 6000includes actuators to deliver functions such as autofocus (AF). Oneapproach to delivering a very compact actuator for OIS is to use a VoiceCoil Motor (VCM) arrangement relying on coils 6012 a-6012 d and magnets6008 a-6008 d. An arrangement of coils 6012 a-6012 d is mounted on afixed base 6006 of the OIS actuator package 6000, and magnets 6008a-6008 d are mounted to a moveable lens barrel 6008 b.

Some embodiments include actuator package for controlling the positionof a lens relative to an image sensor in sensor package (not shown) in aminiature camera. In some embodiments, the actuator module/package 6000includes an voice coil motor base 6006, a coil (e.g. 6012 a-6012 d)rigidly attached to the voice coil motor base 6006, a lens movementmechanism (lens barrel 6004) suspended on the voice coil motor base 6006by a suspension means (not shown) configured to limit relative motion inlinear directions orthogonal to an optical axis of the miniature camerahousing actuator package 6000, and a plurality of magnets 6008 a-6008 drigidly mounted to the lens movement mechanism (lens barrel 6004).

FIG. 7 shows a side view of an example embodiment of a camera module7000 that may, for example, be used in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 7, a cameramodule 7000 may include a base assembly 7008, an optics barrel 7002, anda cover 7012. Base 7008 may include one or more of, but is not limitedto, a base 7008 made of a metal casting to conduct heat withheat-conducting members 7020 protruding out from base 7008 to removeheat from coils 7018. Optics barrel 7002 may be suspended on the base7008 by suspension of the upper springs 7070. Camera module 7000 mayinclude one or more of, but is not limited to, optics (not shown),optics barrel 7002, magnet (s) 7006, upper spring(s) 7070. In opticsbarrel 7002, an optics component (e.g., a lens or lens assembly) may bescrewed, mounted or otherwise held in or by an optics barrel 7002. In atleast some embodiments, the optics barrel 7002 may be suspended from orattached to the magnets 7006 by upper spring(s) 7070. Note that upperspring(s) 7070 are flexible to allow the optics barrel 7002 a range ofmotion along the Z (optical) axis for optical focusing.

When an electric current is applied to the coils 7007, Lorentz forcesare developed due to the presence of the magnets 7006, and a forcesubstantially parallel to the optical axis is generated to move the lensbarrel 7002, and hence lens, along the optical axis, relative to thesupport structure of the autofocus mechanism of the actuator, so as tofocus the lens. In addition to suspending the lens carrier andsubstantially eliminating parasitic motions, the upper spring 7070 alsoresists the Lorentz forces, and hence convert the forces to adisplacement of the lens. This basic architecture shown in FIGS. 3-4 andis typical of some embodiments, in which optical image stabilizationfunction includes moving the entire autofocus mechanism of the actuator(supported by the autofocus yoke) in linear directions orthogonal to theoptical axis, in response to user handshake, as detected by some means,such a two or three axis gyroscope, which senses angular velocity. Thehandshake of interest is the changing angular tilt of the camera in‘pitch and yaw directions’, which can be compensated by said linearmovements of the lens relative to the image sensor.

Some embodiments include actuator package for controlling the positionof a lens relative to an image sensor in sensor package 7050 in aminiature camera 7000. In some embodiments, the actuator module/package7000 includes an voice coil motor base 7008, a coil (e.g. 7007) rigidlyattached to the voice coil motor base 7008, a lens movement mechanism(lens barrel 7002) suspended on the voice coil motor base 7008 by asuspension means (upper springs 7070) configured to limit relativemotion in linear directions orthogonal to an optical axis of theminiature camera housing actuator package 7000, and a plurality ofmagnets 7006 rigidly mounted to the lens movement mechanism (lens barrel7002).

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used in small form factorcameras, according to at least some embodiments. Each magnet is poled soas to generate a magnetic field, the useful component of which for theautofocus function is orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera/lens,and orthogonal to the plane of each magnet proximate to the autofocuscoil, and where the field for all four magnets are all either directedtowards the autofocus coil, or away from it, so that the Lorentz forcesfrom all four magnets act in the same direction along the optical axis.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of an example embodiment of a camera module8000 that may, for example, be used in small form factor cameras,according to at least some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 8, a cameramodule 8000 may include a base 8008, an optics barrel 8002, and a cover8012. Base 8008 may include one or more of, but is not limited to, abase 8008 made of a metal casting to conduct heat with heat-conductingmembers 8010 protruding out from base 8008 to remove heat from coils8018. Optics barrel 8002 may be suspended on the base 8008 by suspensionof the upper springs 8080, side corner springs 8020, and lower springs8082. Camera module 8000 may include one or more of, but is not limitedto, optics (not shown), optics barrel 8002, magnet(s) 8006, upperspring(s) 8080. In optics barrel 8002, an optics component (e.g., a lensor lens assembly) may be screwed, mounted or otherwise held in or by anoptics barrel 8002. In at least some embodiments, the optics barrel 8002may be suspended from or attached to the magnets 8006 by upper spring(s)8080. Note that upper spring(s) 8080 are flexible to allow the opticsbarrel 8002 a range of motion along the Z (optical) axis for opticalfocusing.

Some embodiments include actuator package for controlling the positionof a lens relative to an image sensor in sensor package 8050 in aminiature camera 8000. In some embodiments, the actuator module/package8000 includes an voice coil motor base 8008, a coil (e.g. 8008) rigidlyattached to the voice coil motor base 8008, a lens movement mechanism(lens barrel 8002) suspended on the voice coil motor base 8008 by asuspension means (upper springs 8080) configured to limit relativemotion in linear directions orthogonal to an optical axis of theminiature camera housing actuator package 8000, and a plurality ofmagnets 8006 rigidly mounted to the lens movement mechanism (lens barrel8002).

Example Computer System

FIG. 9 illustrates an example computer system 900 that may be configuredto execute any or all of the embodiments described above. In differentembodiments, computer system 900 may be any of various types of devices,including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktopcomputer, laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, pad, or netbook computer,mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, networkcomputer, a camera, a set top box, a mobile device, a consumer device,video game console, handheld video game device, application server,storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheraldevice such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type ofcomputing or electronic device.

Various embodiments of a camera module as described herein, includingembodiments of temperature compensation for sensors, as described hereinmay be executed in one or more computer systems 900, which may interactwith various other devices. Note that any component, action, orfunctionality described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 may beimplemented on one or more computers configured as computer system 900of FIG. 9, according to various embodiments. In the illustratedembodiment, computer system 900 includes one or more processors 910coupled to a system memory 920 via an input/output (I/O) interface 930.Computer system 900 further includes a network interface 940 coupled toI/O interface 930, and one or more input/output devices 950, such ascursor control device 960, keyboard 980, and display(s) 980. In somecases, it is contemplated that embodiments may be implemented using asingle instance of computer system 900, while in other embodimentsmultiple such systems, or multiple nodes making up computer system 900,may be configured to host different portions or instances ofembodiments. For example, in one embodiment some elements may beimplemented via one or more nodes of computer system 900 that aredistinct from those nodes implementing other elements.

In various embodiments, computer system 900 may be a uniprocessor systemincluding one processor 910, or a multiprocessor system includingseveral processors 910 (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitablenumber). Processors 910 may be any suitable processor capable ofexecuting instructions. For example, in various embodiments processors910 may be general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of avariety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86,PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. Inmultiprocessor systems, each of processors 910 may commonly, but notnecessarily, implement the same ISA.

System memory 920 may be configured to store camera control programinstructions 922 and/or camera control data accessible by processor 910.In various embodiments, system memory 920 may be implemented using anysuitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM),synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or anyother type of memory. In the illustrated embodiment, programinstructions 922 may be configured to implement a lens controlapplication 924 incorporating any of the functionality described above.Additionally, existing camera control data 932 of memory 920 may includeany of the information or data structures described above. In someembodiments, program instructions and/or data may be received, sent orstored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similarmedia separate from system memory 920 or computer system 900. Whilecomputer system 900 is described as implementing the functionality offunctional blocks of previous Figures, any of the functionalitydescribed herein may be implemented via such a computer system.

In one embodiment, I/O interface 930 may be configured to coordinate I/Otraffic between processor 910, system memory 920, and any peripheraldevices in the device, including network interface 940 or otherperipheral interfaces, such as input/output devices 950. In someembodiments, I/O interface 930 may perform any necessary protocol,timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from onecomponent (e.g., system memory 920) into a format suitable for use byanother component (e.g., processor 910). In some embodiments, I/Ointerface 930 may include support for devices attached through varioustypes of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB)standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/Ointerface 930 may be split into two or more separate components, such asa north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in someembodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface 930, suchas an interface to system memory 920, may be incorporated directly intoprocessor 910.

Network interface 940 may be configured to allow data to be exchangedbetween computer system 900 and other devices attached to a network 985(e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computer system900. Network 985 may in various embodiments include one or more networksincluding but not limited to Local Area Networks (LANs) (e.g., anEthernet or corporate network), Wide Area Networks (WANs) (e.g., theInternet), wireless data networks, some other electronic data network,or some combination thereof. In various embodiments, network interface940 may support communication via wired or wireless general datanetworks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example;via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networksor digital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks suchas Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/orprotocol.

Input/output devices 950 may, in some embodiments, include one or moredisplay terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices,voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable forentering or accessing data by one or more computer systems 900. Multipleinput/output devices 950 may be present in computer system 900 or may bedistributed on various nodes of computer system 900. In someembodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate from computersystem 900 and may interact with one or more nodes of computer system900 through a wired or wireless connection, such as over networkinterface 940.

As shown in FIG. 9, memory 920 may include program instructions 922,which may be processor-executable to implement any element or actiondescribed above. In one embodiment, the program instructions mayimplement the methods described above. In other embodiments, differentelements and data may be included. Note that data may include any dataor information described above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system 900 ismerely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope ofembodiments. In particular, the computer system and devices may includeany combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicatedfunctions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances,PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, etc. Computer system 900 may also beconnected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead mayoperate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality providedby the illustrated components may in some embodiments be combined infewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, insome embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustratedcomponents may not be provided and/or other additional functionality maybe available.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various itemsare illustrated as being stored in memory or on storage while beingused, these items or portions of them may be transferred between memoryand other storage devices for purposes of memory management and dataintegrity. Alternatively, in other embodiments some or all of thesoftware components may execute in memory on another device andcommunicate with the illustrated computer system via inter-computercommunication. Some or all of the system components or data structuresmay also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) on acomputer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by anappropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. Insome embodiments, instructions stored on a computer-accessible mediumseparate from computer system 900 may be transmitted to computer system900 via transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as a network and/or a wireless link. Various embodiments mayfurther include receiving, sending or storing instructions and/or dataimplemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon acomputer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, a computer-accessiblemedium may include a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium ormemory medium such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk orDVD/CD-ROM, volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR,RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc. In some embodiments, a computer-accessiblemedium may include transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as network and/or a wireless link.

The methods described herein may be implemented in software, hardware,or a combination thereof, in different embodiments. In addition, theorder of the blocks of the methods may be changed, and various elementsmay be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Variousmodifications and changes may be made as would be obvious to a personskilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The variousembodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative and notlimiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvementsare possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided forcomponents described herein as a single instance. Boundaries betweenvarious components, operations and data stores are somewhat arbitrary,and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specificillustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality areenvisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow. Finally,structures and functionality presented as discrete components in theexample configurations may be implemented as a combined structure orcomponent. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements may fall within the scope of embodiments as defined in theclaims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera apparatus, comprising: a voice coilmotor base; an image sensor attached to the voice coil motor base; aplurality of coils rigidly attached to the voice coil motor base,wherein each coil of the plurality of coils is configured to circulatecurrent in a respective plane of a first set of respective planes thatare orthogonal to the image sensor, the voice coil motor base comprisesa metallic component for conducting heat away from the coil, themetallic component includes heat conducting members that each protrudealong a respective plane of a second set of respective planes that areorthogonal to the image sensor, and each of the heat conducting membersis adjacent to a respective coil of the plurality of coils such that theheat conducting member is configured to conduct heat away from therespective coil; and a lens barrel; a lens barrel motion assemblyattached to the lens barrel, wherein the lens barrel motion assemblycomprises a plurality of magnets rigidly affixed to the lens barrel, thelens barrel motion assembly is moveably affixed to the voice coil motorbase, and each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to forcesto move the lens barrel assembly based on Lorentz forces generated fromthe coil.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of magnetscomprises two magnets mounted to the lens barrel motion assembly.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the each coil of the plurality of coils isdriven with an electric current, and the each coil of the plurality ofcoils is mounted in the magnetic field of each magnet.
 4. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the poling directions of each magnet of theplurality of magnets as mounted in the actuator module is substantiallyorthogonal to an optical axis of a lens of the apparatus, and the polingdirections of each magnet of the plurality of magnets is orthogonal toat least one of a plurality of planar sides of the apparatus.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the lens barrel is moveably suspended inthe apparatus by a support structure that substantially limits therelative motion in linear directions orthogonal to the optical axis. 6.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the Lorentz forces generate controlledmotion of a focusing mechanism and a lens, in directions parallel to anoptical axis.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus isconfigured for controlling the position of a lens relative to the imagesensor.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a respective plane in whicha first coil of the plurality of coils circulates current isperpendicular to a respective plane in which a second coil of theplurality of coils circulates current.
 9. An actuator module forcontrolling the position of a lens relative to an image sensor in aminiature camera, the actuator module comprising: a voice coil motorbase; a plurality of coils rigidly attached to the voice coil motorbase, wherein each coil of the plurality of coils is configured tocirculate current in a respective plane of a first set of respectiveplanes that are orthogonal to the image sensor, the voice coil motorbase comprises a metallic component for conducting heat away from theplurality of coils, the metallic component includes heat conductingmembers that each protrude along a respective plane of a second set ofrespective planes that are orthogonal to the image sensor, and each ofthe heat conducting members is adjacent to a respective coil of theplurality of coils such that the heat conducting member is configured toconduct heat away from the respective coil; a lens movement mechanismmoveably suspended on the voice coil motor base by a suspension meansconfigured to limit relative motion in linear directions orthogonal toan optical axis of the miniature camera; and a plurality of magnetsrigidly mounted to the lens movement mechanism.
 10. The actuator moduleof claim 9, wherein the actuator module is rectangular in plan, whenviewed in directions orthogonal to the optical axis, with sides arrangedso that there is a long side and a short side, the plurality of magnetsincludes four magnets; and a combined arrangement of four magnets andone or more coils provides a force for moving the lens barrel relativeto the image sensor.
 11. The actuator module of claim 9, wherein eachmagnet of the plurality of magnets is arranged to interact with Lorentzforces generated from the coil driven with an appropriate electriccurrent that is rigidly disposed to the voice coil motor base in themagnetic field of each magnet.
 12. The actuator module of claim 9,wherein the poling directions of each magnet of the plurality of magnetsas mounted in the actuator module is substantially orthogonal to anoptical axis of the lens, and the poling directions of each magnet ofthe plurality of magnets is orthogonal to at least one of a plurality ofplanar sides of the actuator module.
 13. The actuator module of claim 9,wherein the lens barrel is suspended in the actuator module by a supportstructure that substantially limits the relative motion in lineardirections orthogonal to the optical axis.
 14. The actuator module ofclaim 9, wherein the actuator module is configured for controlling theposition of the lens relative to the image sensor in the miniaturecamera.
 15. An apparatus for controlling the motion of a cameracomponent in a mobile computing device, the apparatus comprising: anactuator module comprising a plurality of magnets mounted to a lensbarrel for directing light to an image sensor; a plurality of coilsrigidly disposed to a fixed metallic base, wherein, the fixed metallicbase comprises a metallic component for conducting heat away from thecoil, each coil of the plurality of coils configured to circulatecurrent in a respective plane orthogonal to the image sensor, themetallic component includes heat conducting members that each protrudealong a respective plane of a second set of respective planes that areorthogonal to the image sensor, and each of the heat conducting membersis adjacent to a respective coil of the plurality of coils such that theheat conducting member is configured to conduct heat away from therespective coil; and each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributesto the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forcesgenerated from a respective coil of the plurality of coils.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the fixed metallic base is rigidlyattached to a ceramic image sensor substrate.
 17. The apparatus of claim15, wherein the image sensor substrate is attached to a printed circuitboard, the coil is affixed at an orientation such that the plane of thecircuit board is orthogonal to an optical axis of the actuator.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the poling directions of each magnet ofthe plurality of magnets as mounted in the actuator module issubstantially orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens, and the polingdirections of each magnet of the plurality of magnets is orthogonal toat least one of a plurality of planar sides of the actuator module. 19.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the lens barrel is suspended in theactuator module by a support structure that substantially limits therelative motion in linear directions orthogonal to the optical axis. 20.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the actuator module is configured forcontrolling the position of a lens relative to an image sensor in aminiature camera.